Last Week In London
- Posted on February 26, 2008 12:04 PM
- 0 comments
LAST WEEK IN LONDON
Synths, Sex and Suicide
Hello and welcome to another week in live music land, where we shall again become acquainted with new people and new locations, and maybe find ourselves one step away from the corridors of power. Yes, my friends, on Tuesday I strolled down to The Bedford in Balham to take in a set by Second Person, a very professional and talented trip hop/jazz/electronic five piece fronted by Julia Johnson. In addition to being a very impressive performer, she also happens to be the younger sister of Boris Johnson, the Tory candidate for London Mayor. Most of the Johnson family, with the exception of Boris himself, were there to support the band and they were not disappointed I’m sure. This show was one of many planned to showcase the band’s third album which is due out in the summer.
The first set started out with some very effective electronic pop that reminded me a little of Kraftwerk. There were jazz influences there also, with Julia’s including Sarah Vaughan. The second set was more commercial with leanings towards the likes of Alanis Morrisette and some eighties bands. Julia is a charismatic front person with real stage presence and perfectly controlled vocals. The rest of the band also look great in their suits and ties, they are faultless musicians, and the whole thing is finished off nicely by a subtle light show as a backdrop. I have listed to one of their earlier albums, “The Elements”, which has some great songs in the electro pop vogue, all written by Julia and bass player/programmer Mark Maclaine. Another interesting thing about this band is their association with Sellaband, an organisation that started up the concept of selling shares in bands to friends and other investors as an alternative to dealing with the whims of major labels. So, hopefully, we can look forward to the new album and, in the meantime, I recommend that you check out “The Elements” for some really classy music by a band that will be big, whether Boris makes it or not.
It was electronic all the way on Wednesday, beginning with an early evening album launch at Rough Trade near Brick Lane. The artist in question was the very talented French electro pop performer and DJ, Sebastien Tellier, and the album was “Sexuality”, which is his third. Aside from his music, he is very entertaining and self-deprecating as well as appearing to think that he was in Germany. That reminds me of a good story about Neil Young, but you have probably heard it. Anyway, Monsieur Tellier is certainly not Kraftwerk, as his strong melodies and excellent synthesiser backing take him closer to Brian Wilson. He plays guitar and piano, albeit a little heavy handed on the latter, and sings mostly in English. The material was well received and I wish him every success with the album.
As this event finished at 8:30, your dedicated reviewer decided to move on to another venue and maybe take in a little rock music as a contrast to what had gone before. And where better or closer than 93 Feet East on Brick Lane itself? They always have good rock bands on midweek, right. Wrong. Of all nights, this had to be the one with two electro bands on the bill. By the time I realised, it was a bit late to move on, and to be fair, both bands knew their stuff and strutted it well. Lesser Panda are into house and new wave with some disco and gothic thrown in. Very tight with good material these versatile musicians kept the audience happy throughout their set and after. Similarly, Spektrum performed some very classy electro funk/punk fronted by a lady with a great afro, a great voice and all the right moves. Both acts are on myspace and worth checking out if this is your thing.
Things were very different by Thursday night, when I visited the Troubadour in Earls Court and there wasn’t a synth. within miles of the place. There was Susie Wilkins, an excellent singer songwriter who is soon to be touring with Joe Jackson. Her voice is a powerhouse and her guitar was OK, although she usually plays keys. Billie Holliday and Janis Joplin were suggested in much of the material and Mr Jackson has chosen his opening act well. Should be a good show.
Polly & The Billet Doux make a very good job of their jazz, blues, country and gospel repertoire. The have an EP out in HMV soon and the title track “Head Of Steam” is a nice country blues with good slide guitar. The harmonies were spot on, but I wished that Polly had put a little more power into her vocals as she is a good singer. I also found that the pace of some of the songs was a little sluggish and that the whole thing needed just a little more life in it. A good band overall.
To close the night and my week, what better than on hour or so on suicide watch with Orlando Seale. This brilliant performer did a very similar set to the one I reviewed at the 12 Bar a couple of weeks ago, along with his incredible band and Lady Antonika being the “Beautiful Moron”. Each time I hear “The Christmas Song”, “I Have Forgotten-“ and “Devils Bath” I find something new that I like about them, in addition to the bits I liked before. He is much more than just a singer songwriter and his shows are a musical and theatrical experience that I recommend highly. So there we are, a very good musical week, even if the carbon footprint was heavier than normal. Keep gigging, stay safe and well and see you next week.
Related links:Previous 'Last Week in London' reviews.
Joe Jackson tickets and listings on Seatwave.
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